***THIS GIVEAWAY HAS REACHED ITS 10,000 ENTRY CAP AND IS NOW CLOSED – SEE WHO WON BELOW!***
And our VERY lucky winner this week is… Hallie (who knows that Belle Isle was once a fishing village for the Powhatan Indians – something even we hadn’t heard). Congrats – and see you in a few weeks!
We’re spending today with the family for the holiday, but we had to drop in with our big giveaway for you guys. See, when we found out we’d be speaking at this year’s R.Home for the Holidays event on November 8th (which we’ve gone to for the past four years for fun, so it’s really crazy to think that we’ll be speakers) a hair-brained idea popped into my head: what if we gave away a trip to Richmond? And when I mentioned it to the kind folks at Richmond Magazine (the hosts of the event), they not only didn’t call me crazy – they said “let’s do it!” So with their help and the generous support of Visit Richmond VA, my hair-brained idea is coming to life (insert evil cackle here). And it’s bigger and better than I ever guessed it could be. That’s right, someone is about to get hooked up.
The prize includes round-trip airfare from anywhere in the continental United States (arriving Thursday, Nov 8 and departing Sunday, Nov 11) and car rental for the length of your stay – all courtesy of Visit Richmond VA. While you’re here, you’ll be put up for three nights in Richmond’s most iconic and stately hotel – The Jefferson.
And of course, Richmond Magazine is giving you tickets to (sold out!) R.Home for the Holidays on Thursday night where we’ll be speaking and doing a book signing (psst- it has now sold out so we’re working on a free Richmond signing that we’ll share as soon as it’s finalized for any interested locals).
As for what else you can do while you’re here… what about a $100 gift card to one of our favorite restaurants? The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing overlooks the city and is actually the spot where Sherry and I celebrated finding out she was pregnant with Clara.
And since you can’t come to our town and not hit up some of our favorite stores, we’ve wrangled $100 gift cards from four of our favorite spots: La Difference, Mongrel, Quirk Gallery and the consignment store trio of Clover (kids), Clementine (adults) and Ashby (teens).
Plus, Richmond Magazine and Visit Richmond VA are tossing in a bunch of passes to various Richmond must-dos, like the Chihuly glass exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (one of our favorites!) and a Real Richmond Food Tour that’ll give you a taste of several local restaurants in one night.
- PRIZE: As described above: a round-trip flight to Richmond for two people plus a car rental from Visit Richmond VA, a three night stay at The Jefferson Hotel, tickets to R.Home for the Holidays, $100 each to The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing, La Difference, Mongrel, Quirk Gallery, and Clover / Clementine / Ashby.
- TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “RICHMOND ME” and tell us…
- BONUS QUESTION: … one fact you know about Richmond. Did you know that it’s known as The River City? Or that it was recently named The Best River Town In America by Outdoor magazine? Or that it’s where Spielberg’s new Lincoln movie was filmed? Or just that it’s the capital of Virginia and where we live?
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, October 10th at 8pm EST or at 10,000 entries (whichever comes first)
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
- ELIGIBILITY: Flights from the lower 48 United States only, must be 18 or older, tickets must be booked by October 15th. See more guidelines here. (*we really tried to get this to work as an international prize, so sorry that it couldn’t happen – maybe next year!)
- USUAL STUFF: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday as an update to this post. That’s right, come right back here on Thursday for the announcement of our winner. Good luck…
Note: We aren’t paid or perked for hosting these giveaways, we just do ‘em to thank you awesome folks for stopping in. See our Giveaway FAQ page for more info. Pics courtesy of the Richmond Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond Magazine, R.Home Magazine, , La Difference, Mongrel.
Nicole says
Richmond me… I know Richmond is where Dave Matthews Band got their start!
Linda says
One fact I know about Richmond is that I have never, ever been there and would love to win this prize so that I can see it!
Andrea says
RICHMOND ME!
Seriously, the only thing I know about Richmond is what I know through you guys. I’d LOVE to visit in person!!!
Jennifer says
Richmond Me, the only thing I knew about Richmond is that it’s the city y’all lives in.
Heather D. says
Richmond Me! Patrick Henry’s speech “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” was in Richmond, VA.
Rachel says
RICHMOND ME!!! I know nothing about Richmond except you two!!
Jessica says
RICHMOND ME!
I clearly don’t know enough about Richmond- so I need to come for a visit! =)
Diana says
Richmond ME! I don’t know anything about the city except that it is where you live. But what a great reason to get out there!
Jamie says
RICHMOND ME! I am anxious to learn more about Richmond and experience a city that appears to be both artsy and beautiful from reading your blog.
Ej says
Richmond me!!! I know that the 2012 Richmond Marathon is November 10th and that I’ll be there for that anyway….might as well extend my weekend!!
Kara says
Richmond Me!!
Fun fact: Not only is Richmond the birthplace of Clara but it is the birthplace of my dad 60 years earlier almost to the day (May 15, 1950)! Obviously great people are born in Richmond, VA!
Jenna D says
Richmond Me!!
In Richmond – It is illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to see who pays for a coffee. Saw this on weirdfacts.com
Charlotte says
Richmond me! All I know is that you guys live there, and that it looks like so much fun from all the things you’ve shared with us!
Tina says
RICHMOND ME! I have to admit about all I know about it is you live there. :) Sorry Richmond.
Amy Jeffries says
RICHMOND ME!! I’ve never been, but is this the perfect excuse or what??
Elise S. says
RICHMOND ME!
I don’t know a ton about it, but you guys make it look lovely. Thanks!
jenb says
Richmond me!! One of my very, very BFFs lives in Midlothian, but that’s not an interesting factoid to anyone but me! I also had my first IKEA experience in Richmond…heaven!
Jess says
RICHMOND ME!
I would love to meet you guys plus, my husband and I went to the University of Richmond together and would love to take a trip back together!
Laura says
Richmond me! I’ve never been to Richmond but you guys make it sound lovely! Would live to visit and check out all of these places!
Connie M says
Richmond me!
Wowza! That is one crazy awesome giveaway! I’m blown away.
Congratulations to whoever wins this one because – Wow!
Umm, the bonus question… this is going to be shameful, but I honestly can’t think of anything I consciously knew about Richmond before reading your blog. Sad face. But that has all changed since you guys, and if I’m crazy lucky enough to win this insanely generous trip then I’ll definitely know a lot more!
Btw, I love that you guys made it a more meaningful trip – dinner at a very special-to-you-guys place, gift cards to some of your favorite Richmond haunts, seeing you speak (at an event you two usually go to just for fun), etc. As if the trip alone wasn’t amazing, those just make it over the top! XOXO to YHL!!
Justine says
Richmond Me!
I only know that it’s where you live. I would love to visit, as it looks gorgeous, especially in the photos John posts on his runs.
Lauren says
Richmond me!!!
And, did you know that Richmond is the third largest metropolitan area in Virginia? I didn’t until Wikipedia told me!
Kaitlin Y says
RICHMOND ME!! I live out West but I’m an East Coast girl at heart (Go Hokies!). I would love to meet you both. I’m a big fan!
Kendra Webb says
RICHMOND ME: I love history! What gets better than meeting John, Sherry and Clara….so excited if I win!
Sarah De Vries says
RICHMOND ME! Never been and a visit to see you would be an awesome birthday gift for my husband and I (11-6 and 11-8)!
Rachael says
Richmond me! The only fact I know about Richmond is that it’s the capital of Virgonia. I would love to go and learn more :)
Kristin says
RICHMOND ME!
The state capitol building was designed by Thomas Jefferson, and once upon a time, I visited it as a child. :)
Kali says
RICHMOND ME!
Richmond is an independent city and not part of a county.
Yeah, I Google’d that.
Mary Smitley says
Richmond Me!!
Sam says
Richmond me… the only thing I know about Richmond is that it looks like a cool town when have driven by it. It’s due time I actually stop off and have a great weekend there.
john says
Richmond me…
Richmond has great cast-iron architecture, second only to New Orleans
Laurie H. says
Richmond Me! PUH-LEEEEEEASE! All I know is yall live there, and that I can buy a Richmond is for Lovers tshirt :)
Denise says
RICHMOND ME! It is my 30th birthday on November 8th so I would LOVE to visit Richmond and see you speak!
Amanda J. says
RICHMOND ME!
I know that Richmond has a TON of awesome history. Plus, you guys live there, so it must be cool!
Ashley says
RIchmond me! I know there’s an amazing bakery there.. Ukrops or something like that? Never had it, but a co worker from Richmond talks about it all the time!
Kristy says
RICHMOND ME!! Richmond was the location of my first marathon!
Becky says
RICHMOND ME!
Would love to learn something new about Richmond – other than the capital thing.
Shannon says
RICHMOND ME!!! How fun would it be to spend turning the big 3-0 with you guys!! I have never been to Richmond and it looks like a beautiful city with tons of fun things to do!!!
Mary says
“RICHMOND ME” — John, Sherry, Clara & Burger live there!!!
Lisa C says
RICHMOND ME!!!
I know it’s the capital of Virginia and I would love to visit.
Katy says
Richmond me! I know that Richmond VA isn’t the only Richmond in the world, but it’s the one I want to visit in November!
Eric Saupe says
RICHMOND ME!
Richmond is the river city, cool huh?
Michelle Marcrum says
RICHMOND ME! I know that Richmond seems to be a great place for families and it has tons of stuff to do!
Steph N says
RICHMOND ME! I don’t know much more about Richmond than that it’s where you live, but I’m excited about a chance to find out more!
Natasha says
RICHMOND ME!
I believe Richmond is the southern-most major city that’s still considered part of the east coast!
Ryan says
Richmond Me!!! Looks like you guys have some awesome shops and things to do!!
Mary says
“RICHMOND ME” – It’s the River City!!!
Michelle says
RICHMOND ME!!
My history buff 10 year old son has informed me that Richmond VA is the place where Patrick Henry gave his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech!
Elizabeth M says
RICHMOND ME!
Laura says
RICHMOND ME! I know that, as the capital of VA, I visited Richmond in 1989 for my older brother to compete/participate in the all-state jazz band when my (military) family was living in Hampton. :D